A review of the St. Louis Rams' 2010 NFL Draft could begin and end with Sam Bradford, the first overall pick. In spite of a less-than-stellar performance in Week 14 Bradford is on pace for more than 3000 yards and more than 20 touchdowns in his rookie season, one that's seen him judged more against other franchise quarterbacks than other rookies. But one notably invisible wide receiver aside, the Rams' draft has paid off up and down the list.
↵Second-round O-liner Rodger Saffold's importance to Bradford's rookie year can be most easily perceived by just how worried everyone gets when he's dinged up, which is worryingly frequent. Saffold and last year's first-rounder, Jason Smith, have helped to solidify an offensive line that was, in years past, a major part of Marc Bulger's eventual zombification.
↵And in fifth-rounder Michael Hoomanawanui the Rams came up with the perfect complement to Sam Bradford, who's been fond of throwing it to any tight end the Rams can line up. Hoomanawanui, though, has shown an unexpected, preternatural pass-catching ability since his big preseason. Unfortunately, he's had an even rougher time staying healthy than Saffold, which is an occupational hazard when you're catching passes for the Rams.
↵The draft's biggest disappointment to date, however, has been the always affable Mardy Gilyard, who's caught just six passes since being selected in the fourth round of the 2010 draft. Gilyard hasn't been able to earn an opportunity in a receiving corps that's had open-mic-night turnover all year, and he hasn't even made a dent on special teams. There was no reason to expect Gilyard to contribute immediately, but it's difficult to see a situation in which he'll have a better chance than right now, with Bradford lately targeting cheerleaders, cameramen, and boom mic operators.
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